Mike’s Musings …
I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
Hymn number 209 in Sacred Selections for the Church is entitled I LOVE THY KINGDOM, LORD. If you could read the words of that hymn before continuing this reading, I urge you to do so. The Lord’s kingdom is the church (Matthew 16: 13 – 20). Therefore, to love the Lord’s kingdom is to love His church – and I do!
Ephesians 5:22 – 33 shows a beautiful comparison of Christ and His church to a man and his wife and charges us to honor that union with the greatest of love. Nancy and I have been married for just over fifty years, and I can honestly tell you that I love her more now than I did when we married: and I loved her dearly then!! But even Nancy knows, however, that I cannot and will not love her more than I love Christ and His church. In fact, she feels the same when speaking of her love for the kingdom of Christ. Matthew 6:33 and Colossians 1:18 speak clearly as to what we Christians are to love most, and place and the (not “a”) priority in our lives. I do not apologize for it: I love Thy kingdom, Lord!
The kingdom is comprised of obedient, faithful souls; souls who have obeyed the gospel and remain diligent in their faithful service to Christ (1 Peter 2: 1- 12). The men and women who are Christians are my brothers and sisters in Christ. It isn’t merely a commandment that I love them as I love Christ (1 John 3), but a joy to share with them all the spiritual blessings that are in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Are some of these brethren more “loveable” than others? Yes, just as you might find in most fleshly relationships. But in the kingdom of Christ, I find something that is missing in many families of the flesh: viz. a fervent desire to build up one another in the most holy faith (Jude 20 – 23). Oh, how I love my brethren, and would they all love one another fervently with pure hearts (1 Peter 1: 22 – 23).
I muse on the love expressed for the Lord’s kingdom. It is so much greater than words adequately express and of much greater importance than anything this life can offer. Sadly, many consider the kingdom of Christ as little more than a “social club.” Their love for her is artificial at best. For those who truly love the kingdom of God, the church which Jesus purchased with His own blood, (Acts 20:27) that union is greater than even the strongest of earthly marriages! In this life, ought but death separates the married who are truly in love with each other. Spiritually, that union with Christ is eternal, provided we remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10). Indeed, I love His kingdom!